Wounded Marine to receive life-changing gift

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - After the September 11th attacks, Kentucky native, Matt Bradford knew he wanted to be a Marine. He was determined to protect his country.

Bradford enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. in 2005 and deployed to Iraq in 2007.

"I was there from September to January 18th when I got hurt. I stepped on an IED. It was in a pipe underneath the road," says Bradford.

It's a day Corp. Matt Bradford will never forget, "When I saw it, it was too late. It sent shrapnel in both of my eyes and I lost my left leg immediately and my right leg later on in surgery."

He lives in a house in Lexington with his wife and three young children. The house isn't exactly accommodating.

"With the stairs in the house. That's kind of tough, you know wanted to go up them every night. Especially once we relax at night and watching TV, I really don't have motivation to climb up the stairs and get in the bed," says Bradford.

Bradford's life is about to get much easier thanks to a national organization, Helping A Hero. The organization has awarded 90 homes.

Bradford and his family will soon live in a home in Nicholasville. It will be built especially for his needs.

"The last six years have probably been the best years of my life. I've done things that I couldn't imagine doing if I could see or with legs. From sky diving to surfing to having the goal to get out and do things and not be scared of doing it. Being blind with no legs," says Bradford.

The groundbreaking event will be on Thursday. Bradford tells WKYT he expects his new home to be ready to move in by August.

Bradford is a UK fan and would like to attend college there. He says he would like to be a sportscaster.

You can find more information on the organization at Helpingahero.org.

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